WPRA
West Pasadena Residents' Association 
Neighborhood Update
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016
Published weekly since 2000
Welcome

Founded in 1962, the WPRA is dedicated to maintaining the character of our neighborhoods and enhancing the quality of life in southwest Pasadena. 

   
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Send comments to update@wpra.net 

Chuck Hudson
Co-Editor 

 

View the latest and past issues of the WPRA's quarterly magazine, The News, which is mailed to nearly 8,000 homes in west Pasadena.
Neighborhood Update
View past issues of this weekly WPRA eNewsletter, which is emailed each Saturday morning to more than 1,500 residents of Pasadena (and beyond).
Important community meetings
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<
NOTE: The following meeting dates, times and agenda references are accurate as of Friday. 
Click on the appropriate blue headline to ensure the meeting hasn't been cancelled or rescheduled.

MONDAY, APRIL 11

4 p.m.
100 N. Garfield Ave.
City Hall, Council Chambers
On the agenda: Amendments to FY 2016 adopted budget

4:30 p.m.
351 S. Hudson Ave., Room 240
On the agenda: discussion of bylaws and policy administrative regulations

6 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers
100 N. Garfield Ave.
On the agenda: 
  • Authorize an increase of no more than $100,000 (from $300,620 to $400,620) for the continued preparation of environmental documents related to the proposed YWCA/Kimpton Hotel Project
  • Conduct the first reading of an ordinance to amend a light-and-power rate ordinance to establish economic development incentives for new commercial customers or expanded services for existing customers
  • Approve measures to address issues associated with homelessness and panhandling
TUESDAY, APRIL 12

2 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Community Center
1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
On the agenda: appointment of nominating committee for 2016-2017 officers; call for nominations to fill vacancies on the Senior Services Agency

4 p.m.
100 N. Garfield Ave.
City Hall, Council Chambers
On the agenda: amend the Municipal Code to allow for immobilization of vehicles (booting) as an alternative to towing; updates about the Pasadena Bikeshare Program, Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Facility, and water supply and conservation

6 p.m.
100 N. Garfield Ave.
Basement Training Room, S018
On the agenda: Introduce new owners of Paseo Colorado mixed-use development

6 p.m.
175. N. Garfield Ave.
Permit Center Hearing Room
On the agenda: Update on preparation of climate action plan; consider 2015 Urban Water Management Plan; support of a ban on polystyrene food containers; and comment on trash in the Arroyo Seco

6:30 p.m.
La Pintoresca Teen Center
1415 N. Raymond Ave.
On the agenda: review community input for the Arroyo Seco Music and Art Festival; update economic development activities and development projects in northwest Pasadena

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13
5:30 p.m.
175 N. Garfield Ave., Hearing Room
On the agenda: Not available

6 p.m.
City Hall
100 N. Garfield St.
Grand Conference Room, S038
On the agenda: view presentation from Pasadena Youth Council; appoint nominating committee for 2016-2017 officers


6:30 p.m.
City Hall
100 N. Garfield St.
Council Chambers
On the agenda: Not available
 
THURSDAY, APRIL 14


5:30 p.m.
351 S. Hudson Ave
Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (236)
On the agenda: position of ombudsman; acceptance of the California Apprenticeship Initiative pre-apprenticeship program grant from California Community Colleges Chancellor's office; approval of contract for final facility proposal for Pasadena Rosebud Academy Charter School

6:30 p.m.
Jackie Robinson Center
1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.
On the agenda: update March Women's History Month event planning and screening on "Equal Means Equal" film; update on Denim Day 2016 (April 27); take action on Survival Guide unveiling event (June 9, 5-7 p.m. at City Hall)
"Quote" of the week
"As it stands today, the five-year period between 2011-2016 has had 38.50" of rain, which would shatter the previous record of 45.63" set in 1985-1990. Simply put, since 1877, LA has never had a five-year period where every year was below average by so much. At this point, all we can do is hope for monsoon moisture and tropical storm remnants to somehow find their way to LA this summer. At least it would do something to help stop forests from drying out." 
- Let's Go LA
WPRA in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

Long-time Bungalow Heaven stalwart, Bob Kniesel, passes
The WPRA notes with sadness the passing of Bob Kniesel, a Pasadena resident who was instrumental in the birth of the Bungalow Heaven Landmark District and a well-respected steward of both Bungalow Heaven and the concept of the Pasadena style of neighborhood associations. His fellow area residents considered him "a blessing to our community and to the city." They also expressed gratitude for the lessons he taught on "how to do things right, how to be a leader, how to appreciate history and how to be courageous." They added that "through his hard work and dedication, we are a better neighborhood." Former WPRA president Vince Farhat described Kneisel as a "great neighborhood leader," an assertion supported by the Pasadena City Council, which noted Kniesel's passing this past Monday night by adjourning in his memory. "The bond of man and Craftsman is as indelible as the ruffled brick porch columns of Kneisel's 1912 house," wrote Brenda Rees in the June 2012 issue of Arroyo Magazine. In that article, Bob said he expected he'd be in his house "till I die. I can't imagine anywhere else I'd be." A Bungalow Heaven announcement quotes Bob: "We are fortunate to live in this wonderful island (Bungalow Heaven), surrounded by people with common values who want to live here. That is what makes any neighborhood great."
 
This year's WPRA annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 18, at the Marantha Student Center, 169 St. John Ave. A reception with refreshments and exhibits by local organizations will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the formal meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. This year's themes are local crime, presented by Pasadena Police Department Lt. Johnny Mercado (Community Service Area 1), and alternatives to the 710 tunnel, presented by noted Pasadena architect Stefanos Polyzoides.
Neighborhoods in motion
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION<

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity invites the public to meet the nine families destined to live in the new Desiderio homes. The groundbreaking event will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, at 605-695 Westminster Dr. RSVP to Catalina Velez at (626) 387-6899 x. 10 or cvelez@sgvhabitat.org. The Desiderio homes will be built below the Colorado Street Bridge. Parking access for this event is on Arroyo Boulevard on the north side of the former Desiderio Army Reserve Center site. Watch for parking signs on Arroyo Boulevard. NOTE: Click on the headline link (above) to open on an invitation, print the invitation and place in on your dashboard when you park. Handicap drop off is at the corner of Westminster Dr. and California Terrace.

TODAY: Book sale
The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library will be hosting its monthly book sale on the east patio of the Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., on Saturday, April 9, 9 a.m. to Noon. Prices range from 25-cents to $5 per book, but most are priced at 50-cents for paperbacks and $2 for hardbacks. The monthly sales serve as the Friends' main source of revenue, and proceeds support library programs.

How do you know if your neighborhood is eligible as a Landmark District? What are the benefits of becoming a Landmark District? These questions and more will be addressed at an informational forum hosted by Pasadena Heritage and the Arroyo Group, which will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, at La Casita del Arroyo, 177 S. Arroyo Blvd. This event is free but all attendees must RSVP in advance. A $10 donation will be requested at the door. To reserve your seat click the headline.

In and around the Rose Bowl this weekend
  • Sunday, April 10: R.G. Canning Flea Market and Market Place Organizers expect approximately 20,000 attendees from 5 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., depending on admission level. If you have any questions or concerns about any of these events, please contact the Rose Bowl Event Day Resident Hotline: (626) 397-4141.
San Rafael Elementary School is hosting its annual fundraiser on Wednesday, April 16. The Black & White event will include a Paella dinner, drinks, dancing, and live and silent auctions. Please contact Kera Saenz de Maturana at kera_s@me.com with any questions or donations.

The public is invited on Wednesday, April 27, 7-8 p.m., to a live televised debate, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters and KABC (ABC-7), for the six candidates for Los Angeles County District 5 Supervisor to replace termed-out Supervisor Michael Antonovich. The debate, which will focus on conservation and other important issues, can be viewed on KABC or seen in person at the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd. Marc Brown of ABC-7 will serve as moderator. Church doors open at 6:30, and the debate will be followed by a reception at 8 p.m. Intend to attend the debate in person? Click on the headline to RSVP.


The Pasadena water-savings gauge dipped to 21% between June 1, 2015 and March 23, 2016; the state-mandated target, which must be met by October, remains at 28%. Do your part to conserve water!

On April 1, the City resumed its two-days-per-week spring/summer watering schedule, which runs through October 31 and permits outdoor watering on Tuesdays and Saturdays only, and before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Did you know?
  • If you report a theft of less than $5,000 and have no information about suspects, you may be asked to report the incident online. Also, response times for these types of incidents could be delayed, depending on the current call load.
  • Reports of mail theft can be made 24 hours a day by calling (877) 876-2455, visiting postalinspectors.uspis.gov or calling the USPS Consumer Affairs Office for the Sierra Coastal Postal District at (661) 775-6681.
Porter Ranch Aliso Canyon gas leak could impair PWP service this summer
On October 23, 2015, a significant natural gas leak in well SS25 was detected at the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility near Porter Ranch. As a result, electric utilities in the Los Angeles region, including Pasadena Water and Power (PWP), may experience reductions to natural gas supplies. While not overly dependent on natural gas, PWP could experience energy shortages as a result of a reduced supply of natural gas, which PWP uses in its electrical generating facilities. PWP will be educating its customers on how to conserve energy and prepare for "FlexAlerts."
Editor's top news picks
>CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION

"Somehow, it's already April, and despite intense media hype and warning, SoCal residents have watched storm after storm deliver rain to northern California but die on the way past Point Conception. The storms that have made it to LA have been mediocre, with limited moisture; the remnants of a tropical storm in September brought more rain than any system since. Through the end of March, this year has been no better for LA than the last four drought years." Let's Go LA
 
"Following more than five hours of public comment and Council discussion, the Pasadena City Council Monday night officially authorized  a days-long Rose Bowl music and arts festival to be produced by a company made famous for its Coachella Music Festival in Indio." Pasadena Now

"Move over Coachella, there's a new music festival coming to Southern California." Pasadena Star-News

"While Monday night's approval of the first-ever Arroyo Seco Music and Arts Festival was unanimous, a large portion of the discussion was taken up debating the question of exactly how many events should be held every year in the Rose Bowl." Pasadena Now

"The Arroyo Seco Music and Arts Festival will pack the Rose Bowl over multiple days starting in 2017, but it's going to have much less parking at the stadium than a normal concert, according to officials." Pasadena Star-News (may require subscription) [Editor's note: Article is accompanied by a photo of Rose Bowl concert-goers engaging in tailgating, which will not be permitted for the Arroyo Seco Music and Art Festival.]
 
"William Flinn, the Executive Director of the Tournament of Roses Association, will retire in 2017 after more than three decades with the organization, according to an announcement by the Tournament of Roses today." Pasadena Now
 
"The double-edged sword of gentrification has become a fact of life for long-time residents and community college students of Pasadena over the past few years." Pasadena City College Courier
 
"Pasadena Museum of History (PMH) will honor renowned architectural historian Robert Winter at a special brunch on Thursday, April 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Altadena Town & Country Club, 2900 Country Club Drive. The event celebrates Dr. Winter's landmark gift of Batchelder tiles and accompanying archives to PMH as well as his long tenure with the museum as a board member, Trustee Emeritus, mentor, and scholar." Pasadena Independent

"The Board Trustees of Maranatha High School is pleased to announce that Dr. Steven Sherman has accepted an offer to become the next Head of School, beginning in the 2016-2017 school year." Pasadena Now
Leisure
- CLICK ON HEADLINES FOR MORE INFORMATION -

 

Looking for other ways to entertain or educate yourself and your family? 

For current events around the area, we encourage you to visit our local news outlets. Click on the publication title to visit that publication's events section (alphabetical order).

Attend WPRA board meetings each month 

Monthly WPRA board meeting dates and locations are on the WPRA website. Click on the headline above or visit our website and look under "Meetings and Events."


The WPRA needs you ... 

... to serve your community and do it with a group of your neighbors who are equally dedicated. If you live within our service area, we'd welcome your help.

  • Got the local news bug? Just curious about your city (and would like to share news with 1,000 or so of your closest friends), consider serving as a co-editor of Neighborhood Update. It will only take a few hours a week (on your own schedule) in the month or two a year in which you'd serve. We'll train you.  
  • We have lots of opportunities to serve on one of our many committees:
    • Land use and planning
      If you care about how we use our land  
    • Education
      If you want to help save public education for West Pasadena  
    • Open space & conservation
      If you care about preserving open space and conservation of land and resources 
    • Membership
      If you'd like to help us continue to build our membership so we can do more  
If you'd like to chat about ways we could help you become more involved or, more likely, more effective (by helping us), send an email to WPRA President. Tell him about your interests.   
To learn more

Visit wpra.net and "like" our Facebook page  

To submit information for the Neighborhood Update, send it to update@wpra.net. 

 

Joseph Stoddard's watercolors: The WPRA is grateful to local artist Joseph Stoddard, who has generously allowed us to display his watercolors in our quarterly newsletter, The (WPRA) News; on the WPRA website; and in this publication. To explore Mr. Stoddard's work, visit josephstoddard.com.